CT Permit Practice Test 6

All 20 questions in test 6

Every question below comes from the Connecticut question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. How long does a Connecticut vehicle owner have to fix an emissions failure?

   1. 60 days to repair and have the emissions rechecked
   2. One year
   3. There is no deadline
   4. 10 days
   Show answer

   60 days to repair and have the emissions rechecked. A Connecticut vehicle may be required to have an emissions inspection at an authorized station, and if the vehicle does not pass you are given 60 days to have the problem fixed and the emissions rechecked. The manual pairs this rule with advice to follow the vehicle owner's manual for routine maintenance, noting that some tasks you can do yourself while a qualified mechanic must handle others.

2. 2. At an intersection without signs or signals, which approaching vehicle has priority?

   
   1. The vehicle approaching from the right
   2. The vehicle approaching from the left
   3. The vehicle traveling at the higher speed
   4. The vehicle with its turn signal on
   Show answer

   The vehicle approaching from the right. At an intersection with no stop sign, yield sign, or oncoming traffic signal, the driver must yield to vehicles coming from the right. The manual stresses that the law says who must yield and does not give anyone the right-of-way, so the vehicle on the right should still drive carefully. Speed and a turn signal do not establish priority. Reduce speed, scan both directions, and be prepared to yield. The practical cue is to check the vehicle on your right before entering an intersection without traffic control.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of Way at Intersections

3. 3. If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, what is the safest first move when possible?

   1. Change a tire immediately in the traffic lane
   2. Leave it in the travel lane with the hood closed
   3. Stand behind it and wave at approaching vehicles
   4. Move it off the road and away from traffic
   Show answer

   Move it off the road and away from traffic. A disabled vehicle can become a collision hazard when other drivers do not see it in time. If you can, get the vehicle off the road and away from moving traffic. Then use emergency flashers and other warnings, and never stand in the roadway. Leaving the car in a travel lane is dangerous even if the hood is raised, and changing a tire in that lane exposes you to passing vehicles. Your first cue is space: create as much separation from traffic as the situation allows before handling the mechanical problem.

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, Horn and Turn Signals

4. 4. What does a DETOUR sign mark when the usual road is closed?

   1. The beginning of an established alternate route
   2. The point where all road restrictions end
   3. A road reserved exclusively for emergency vehicles
   4. Permission to drive through the closed section
   Show answer

   The beginning of an established alternate route. A detour sign introduces an alternate route established because the usual road is closed. It tells drivers where to begin the substitute path, not where restrictions disappear. Continuing through the closed section defeats that instruction, even if the road appears empty. Look for the detour indication before committing to the blocked roadway, then follow the alternate route signs. The destination may be the same, but the route used to reach it has changed.

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, School and Guide Signs

5. 5. On dry pavement with good tires and brakes, about how far can it take to stop at 50 mph?

   1. About 200 feet
   2. About 50 feet
   3. About 100 feet
   4. About 400 feet
   Show answer

   About 400 feet. The manual estimates about 400 feet at 50 mph to react to something seen and bring the vehicle to a stop when pavement is dry and the tires and brakes are in good condition. The 50-foot and 100-foot choices underestimate the combined space needed for perception, reaction, and braking. About 200 feet is the separate figure given for 30 mph, so it belongs to a different speed. Use the surface and equipment conditions as part of the rule, then connect 50 mph with a full city-block distance before assuming a visible hazard can be avoided.

   Study this in the handbook: Speed Limits and Stopping Distance

6. 6. Which signal should you use as you approach your intended roundabout exit?

   1. Your right turn signal
   2. Your left turn signal
   3. Both emergency flashers
   4. No signal until after leaving the circle
   Show answer

   Your right turn signal. Indicate a roundabout departure with the right turn signal as the intended exit approaches. This lets nearby drivers understand which exit you will take. A left signal suggests a different movement, while emergency flashers do not identify a planned turn. After selecting the exit, continue checking for pedestrians on the exiting leg and yield to them. The signal communicates your plan; it does not remove the need to check the crossing before leaving the circle.

   Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts, Traffic Circles and U-Turns

7. 7. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean for a driver approaching the intersection?

   1. The driver should accelerate through every time
   2. The driver has a new protected right of way
   3. The signal is about to turn red and the driver must stop if safe
   4. The intersection is closed to all traffic
   Show answer

   The signal is about to turn red and the driver must stop if safe. A steady yellow light announces that the signal is about to change to red. The driver must stop when a safe stop is possible. It is not a new protected movement, and accelerating through every yellow defeats the warning. A yellow light also does not mean the intersection is closed. Check the stopping distance, brake smoothly when appropriate, and avoid entering if the vehicle cannot clear the intersection before the signal changes.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Lights, Arrows and HAWK Signals

8. 8. What does the red and white downward-pointing triangle require?

   
   1. Speed up to enter before cross traffic
   2. Slow to a reasonable speed and yield the right-of-way, stopping if necessary
   3. Stop every time, even when no traffic is present
   4. Ignore the sign when traveling on the main road
   Show answer

   Slow to a reasonable speed and yield the right-of-way, stopping if necessary. A triangular YIELD sign tells the driver to slow to a speed reasonable for the conditions and yield the right-of-way. Stopping is required when necessary, not automatically in every situation. Speeding into the intersection reverses the sign's instruction, and being on a main road does not erase the duty to yield where the sign applies. The downward-pointing triangle is the visual cue. Pair its shape with the conditional stop rule: reduce speed, assess traffic and pedestrians, then stop if the situation requires it.

   Study this in the handbook: Sign Shapes and Regulatory Signs

9. 9. Two lanes are approaching a yellow MERGE warning. What does it tell drivers?

   
   1. Traffic in the right lane must stop before merging
   2. Only the left lane may continue
   3. The two lanes are about to become one and both drivers must merge smoothly
   4. The roadway is becoming two separate one-way roads
   Show answer

   The two lanes are about to become one and both drivers must merge smoothly. A MERGE warning means two lanes of traffic are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes share responsibility for fitting together smoothly, using signals and adjusting speed without sudden competition for space. The sign does not grant one lane automatic priority, require the other lane to stop, or announce a divided roadway. Identify the lane that will continue, check mirrors and blind spots, and create a predictable gap before the lane reduction arrives.

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, School and Guide Signs

10. 10. What does a solid white line between lanes generally tell you?

    1. Stop before the line at every intersection
    2. Cross freely whenever you want to pass
    3. The lanes carry traffic in opposite directions
    4. Stay in your lane unless a special situation requires a change
    Show answer

    Stay in your lane unless a special situation requires a change. Solid white lane lines separate lanes traveling in the same direction and advise drivers to remain in their lane unless a special situation requires a change. They are different from dashed white lines, which indicate that a lane change may be made when safe. A solid white line is not a center line for opposing traffic, and it is not automatically a stop line. Before crossing one, identify the reason, check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and confirm that the maneuver will not interfere with another road user.

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement Markings and Special Lanes

11. 11. What penalty does a Connecticut teen driver face for a first reckless driving conviction?

    1. A 30 day suspension
    2. A $50 fine
    3. Loss of license until 21
    4. A six month suspension, a $175 restoration fee, and court fines or up to 30 days in jail
    Show answer

    A six month suspension, a $175 restoration fee, and court fines or up to 30 days in jail. A first reckless driving conviction under section 14-222 brings a 16 or 17 year old driver a six month suspension, a $175 license restoration fee, and court fines or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both; a repeat offense brings a one year suspension and up to a year in jail. Street racing carries the same six month and one year suspensions.

    Study this in the handbook: Teen Suspensions and Operator Retraining

12. 12. What test can show that a driver is traveling too fast for the available sight distance?

    1. The one-second parking-space rule
    2. The four-second sight-distance rule
    3. The ten-minute fuel-economy test
    4. The two-car-length rule at every speed
    Show answer

    The four-second sight-distance rule. The four-second sight-distance rule checks whether the driver can stop within the distance that is visible. Pick a stationary object at the farthest clear point and count for four seconds. Reaching the object before the count ends means the vehicle is moving too fast for that sight distance and should slow down. The other choices are not tests described in the manual. Use a sign or telephone pole as the reference, and remember that speed must match visibility, not just the posted limit.

    Study this in the handbook: Distractions, Fatigue and Aggressive Driving

13. 13. Why can pavement be especially slippery during the first few minutes of rain on a hot day?

    1. Warm pavement freezes as soon as rain touches it
    2. Rain instantly improves the grip of every tire
    3. Heat brings asphalt oil to the surface before the rain washes it away
    4. The lane paint dissolves and lubricates the whole road
    Show answer

    Heat brings asphalt oil to the surface before the rain washes it away. Hot weather can bring oil in the asphalt to the surface. When rain begins, that oil has not yet washed away, so the first few minutes may be unusually slippery. A wet road does not instantly become easier to grip, and the concern here is not sudden freezing of warm pavement. Be cautious at the start of a shower after heat. The roadway can be slick before enough rain has fallen to clear the surface oil.

    Study this in the handbook: Slippery Roads, Hydroplaning and Curves

14. 14. What following gap does Connecticut's three-second rule establish for ordinary conditions?

    
    1. No closer than one second
    2. No closer than three seconds
    3. No closer than six seconds
    4. No closer than ten seconds
    Show answer

    No closer than three seconds. Use a stationary sign, pole, or similar point to measure the gap behind another vehicle. Start counting when its rear passes that point; reaching the point before three seconds have elapsed means you should drop back and check again. The manual also specifically says never to follow a truck at an interval under three seconds. One second leaves too little space, while six and ten are not the ordinary baseline. Weather, darkness, or other conditions can require additional room.

    Study this in the handbook: Space Cushion and Following Distance

15. 15. While driving on a Connecticut highway, one tire suddenly blows out. How should you control the vehicle?

    1. Brake hard and turn sharply toward the shoulder
    2. Grip the wheel firmly, keep straight, and slow gradually before pulling off
    3. Accelerate until the tire becomes stable
    4. Stop in the travel lane whenever possible
    Show answer

    Grip the wheel firmly, keep straight, and slow gradually before pulling off. A sudden flat tire calls for control of direction before an abrupt attempt to stop. Hold the wheel tightly, keep the vehicle going straight, take your foot off the accelerator, and use the brakes lightly as you slow. Hard braking and a sharp turn toward the shoulder can make the situation harder to control. When you have reduced speed, pull off at a safe place. Avoid stopping in a traffic lane if there is a safe way to leave the roadway.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, Horn and Turn Signals

16. 16. Where may a Connecticut adult driver use a hand-held cell phone?

    1. While driving under 25 mph
    2. At a stop sign
    3. While parked safely on the side or shoulder of a highway
    4. In stop-and-go traffic
    Show answer

    While parked safely on the side or shoulder of a highway. Hand-held use is allowed once the vehicle is parked safely on the side or shoulder of the highway. Driving slowly does not make hand-held use legal, and stopping at a stop sign or in stop-and-go traffic is still covered by the ban on temporary stops. Adults may otherwise use only hands-free accessories. Drivers who are 16 or 17 may not use any phone, even hands-free, except to call for emergency help.

    Study this in the handbook: Teen Suspensions and Operator Retraining

17. 17. In a very heavy downpour, what should a driver do if visibility becomes too poor to continue safely?

    1. Pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears
    2. Turn on high beams and continue at the posted speed
    3. Follow the vehicle ahead more closely for guidance
    4. Stop in the travel lane until the rain ends
    Show answer

    Pull off the road in a safe place and wait until it clears. The manual recognizes that heavy rain can reduce the visible roadway to a dangerously short distance. If the driver cannot see well enough to drive, the safe response is to leave the travel lane and wait in a safe place until conditions clear. High beams do not make it safe to continue through a nearly invisible roadway. Following closely reduces reaction space, and stopping in the lane creates a collision hazard. Treat severely reduced visibility as a reason to exit traffic, not as a reason to accelerate or guess.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, Horn and Turn Signals

18. 18. A portable message board along a Connecticut highway posts a direction for drivers. What should you do?

    1. Ignore it unless a police officer is present
    2. Obey the direction posted on the board
    3. Follow it only if the board is permanent, not portable
    4. Treat it as a suggestion about traffic only
    Show answer

    Obey the direction posted on the board. Connecticut uses both portable and permanent message boards along highways. They may carry information about traffic, road, or weather conditions and other hazards, and the manual says to always obey any directions posted on them. A portable board carries the same weight as a permanent one, and no officer needs to be present for the direction to apply. Read the message early and adjust your speed and position as it directs.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings and Work Zones

19. 19. What is the only thing that will sober a Connecticut driver up, according to the manual?

    1. Coffee
    2. A cold shower
    3. Fresh air and exercise
    4. Time
    Show answer

    Time. There is no way to sober up quickly; coffee, fresh air, exercise or cold showers will not help, and time is the only thing that will sober you up. Specialty drinks can hold more alcohol and count the same as several normal drinks. Plan ahead for social drinking by going with others and agreeing on a driver who will not drink, or using public transportation or a cab if one is available.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, Testing and DUI Suspensions

20. 20. A Connecticut parent's teen gets a learner's permit. What training must the parent or legal guardian complete?

    1. None; only the teen trains
    2. A 30 hour classroom course
    3. Two hours of instruction with the teen on teen driving laws and dangers
    4. A road test of their own
    Show answer

    Two hours of instruction with the teen on teen driving laws and dangers. A parent or legal guardian of a 16 or 17 year old permit holder must complete two hours of instruction with the teen on the laws for drivers under 18 and the dangers of teen driving. The session may be offered by a commercial driving school or a secondary school, and it is included in the eight hour program already required for every 16 and 17 year old. The 30 hour course is the teen's classroom program, the parent does not retake a road test, and saying no parent training is needed contradicts the law.

    Study this in the handbook: Teen Training, Passengers and Curfew